Induction as unification

Kant, Whewell, and recent developments

Robert E. Butts

pp. 273-289

in: Paolo Parrini (ed), Kant and contemporary epistemology, Berlin, Springer, 1994

Abstract

Recent studies of Kant's views on science by Friedman (1986, 1992), Kitcher (1983, 1986), Brittan (1978, 1986), Harper (1989), Morrison (1989), and Butts (1979, 1986a&c, 1990) - all of us heavily dependent upon Buchdahl (1969), have revealed that Kant introduces a new form of the old rationalist theme: to build a science is to build asystem)In one respect Kant simply imitates the Leibnizian background (reinforced by rationalists since the time of Plato): in the absence of an understanding of the whole, one cannot hope to understand the parts. However, unlike Leibniz, Kant's philosophy failed to give him the metaphysical assurance that such a feat of mental gymnastics can actually be carried out. Instead, Kant derived his thoughts about systematization from the study of the best science of his day — the Newtonian synthesis — thoughts that led him to replace alleged metaphysical knowledge with certain postulates of rational methodology.

Cited authors

Kant Immanuel

Leibniz Gottfried Wilhelm

Plato

Whewell William